by Ogbuh A. Ameh
In its bid to aid the raising of working class consciousness in the labour movement, the Socialist Workers League has been in the vanguard of organizing a series of symposiums. True to its slogan “Workers, Youths and Women Unite”, it has been upbeat in revolutionary organisation of workers, students and the oppressed masses of Nigeria. This is evident in its print publications; Socialist Worker, Abuja Workers Bulletin and lately Abuja Workers Viewpoint which was launched on the day of the last symposium.
The symposium series started on the 20th October 2014 with the theme: The Labour Party and the Working Class: which way forward? The second symposium was organised on the 19th March 2015 with the theme: Nigerian Workers, Labour Party and the 2015 elections – ensuring a better representation for FCT workers.
The first meeting was held in conjunction with the Labour Party FCT while the second added NLC (FCT) to the list of collaborators. The first symposium came up at a critical point in time when the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had expressed the need for workers to reclaim the Labour Party. The second symposium was equally an opportunity for shop stewards and rank and file workers to interrogate the Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, FCT, Johnson Somadina Anene.
This event had Dr. Ayuba Waba, the new president of NLC and Alhaji AA Salam, National Chairperson of the Labour Party as special guests. Comrade Ayuba spoke extensively on the need for workers to build a virile party as each party represents a class. The bosses’ parties he said, will never be truly committed primarily, to addressing issues of concern to the poor working people. The event had in attendance comrades from over 20 unions, numbering up to five hundred. Quite a number of these asked searching questions on the way forward for the working class. 24 joined the SWL and have been participating in the Abuja branch’s activities.
